Teachers Trade Unionists have maintained that the strike action must continue unless government grants their request. Wilfred Tassang of the Cameroon Teachers Trade Union says it is a good thing that the eight members requested to be added to the ad hoc committee for teachers were finally included in the list but that they will only sit to negotiate when all the youths arrested in Bamenda and Kumba are released. He said while observing Monday ghost town in the two regions, they are ready for dialogue if those conditions are fulfilled.

Prime Minister Philemon Yang in a press release on Friday called on parents to send their children to school beginning Monday the 9^th of January 2017. In a typical Francophone-CPDM pattern, Philemon Yang invited the education family to put hands together for the smooth start of the second term in the two Anglophone regions despite ongoing strike action by teachers. The Head of Government assured parents that security measures for the kick off have been taken.

Philemon Yang who reportedly now takes instructions from Higher Education Minister, Fama Ndongo also said government is ready to partake in meaningful dialogue with trade Unionists to arrive a consensus to improve on English sub system of education. The Prime Minister concluded his communiqué with the usual CPDM rhetoric observing that “the issues have been identified and that solutions are underway.” However, Southern Cameroonians seems not to be listening anymore to officials from La Republique du Cameroun.

The North West region based Cameroon Parents Association, CAPA, has given its unflinching support to striking teachers assuring them that they will observe the ghost town on Monday and even beyond. A release signed by eight representatives partially reads, “We unanimously and unilaterally support the ongoing teachers and lawyers strike, declare a ghost town across North West and South West as from Monday January 9,2017.” The Parents also said dialogue can only be sincere if youths ‘abducted’ in Bamenda and Kumba are released. They also decry the divide and rule system of North West and South West people implored by the government.

In another latest development, Fons in Ndu sub division, Donga Mantung Division have reportedly refused to cede to demands of Divisional Officer of the area to lure parents send their children to school come Monday. They told the DO that it is the place of teachers and lawyers to tell the students and not traditional rulers. On his part, the Fon of Tabeken, Ngwayi Polycarp has called on his subjects especially pupils and students to avoid market places and crowded areas, though he did not come out clear on his stance ,it is rumored that he is trying not to victimize himself but supporting the struggle.

Culled from CIN